Frequently asked questions.
What is Psychodynamic Counselling?
Psychodynamic therapy is the oldest of the modern therapies, beginning with Sigmund Freud’s ideas on the unconscious, the importance of childhood experiences and relationships in understanding the human psyche. These have been developed and modified by different strands of psychodynamic theorists over the years.
How does Psychodynamic Counselling work?
The main emphasis in Psychodynamic Counselling is that early experiences are important in shaping the way our mind works. When undertaking psychodynamic counselling, the counsellor will help the client to explore his or her problems in a way that refers to the past, in terms of the potential conflicts or issues that are relevant to what the client experiences in the present
Psychodynamic therapy helps clients understand and resolve their problems by increasing awareness of their inner world and its influence over relationships both past and present. It differs from most other therapies in aiming for deep seated change in personality and emotional development.
What can you expect from Psychodynamic Counselling?
Psychodynamic Counselling varies in terms of the style and approach practiced by the counsellor. South West Psychodynamic counsellors aim to adopt a neutral stance, refraining from giving advice or information about themselves and engaging less in conversation in order to make it easier for unconscious conflicts from the past to be identified and explored.
At the same time counsellors aim to provide a space that is consistent, accepting and safe for for the client to explore their concerns.